The History of Mr. Polly

A funny and touching account of the imaginative Mr. Polly who, bored and trapped in his conventional life, makes a U-turn –- and changes everything.

H.G. Wells’ early life as the son of a semi-insolvent shopkeeper and as a draper’s apprentice fueled his novels of the lower middle class: The Wheels of Chance (1896), Kipps (1905), and The History of Mr. Polly (1910). These works evoke the desperation of apprentices, clerks, and small traders in their monotonous toil behind shop counters. And, like Mr. Polly, his protagonists make a break from their mundane lives with more or less success.

H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a prolific writer in history, general and science fiction, and politics. He was a lifelong socialist. (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis)

Reviews

A great story. Perfectly performed.

(5 stars)

Alan H.

An interesting, enjoyable story and funny as hell. This was my first Wells story other than scifi. It will not be my last. The narration (performance, really) is simply superb and overwhelmingly suited to the story. If you don't laugh out loud at the fist fight between Mr. Polly & his neighbor, go out & borrow a sense of humor and re-listen to it.

worthwhile

(4 stars)

Elizabeth

Thanks to the reader who has brought Mr Polly and his world to life.
It's a salutary contrast if you have recently been listening to writers such as Henry James (as I have been) because Mr Polly belongs to the "lower middle class". He is imaginative but a poor education squeezes him into a very limited life until ... (you will enjoy listening to find out what happens).

Couldnt make it

(2 stars)

C. Love

I'm sure this is a delightful story but I just can't seem to stick with it which is rare... the main character is likeable but the chapters seem disjointed or something
narrator is excellent however

A nice enough story. expertly narrated

(3.5 stars)

A pretty mild story. No intrigue or major conflict. Despite its excellent narration it was a rather tough book for me to get through.